A patient with a sympathectomy would experience what's referred to as orthostatic hypotension (which might lead to syncope). Orthostatic hypotension is a decrease in arterial pressure when going from supine to a standing position. A person with a normal baroreceptor mechanism will try to restore MAP. In a person who had a sympathectomy, the sympathetic component of the baroreceptor mechanism is absent.
M.A.S.T.E.R. Learning Program, UC Davis School of Medicine
Date Revised: Jan 16, 2002
Revised by: Gordon Li and Carolyn Nguyen